If you need more evidence that infection with SARS-CoV-2 leaves long-term sequelae in the human body, research led by Monash University provides it, allowing GPs and other frontline physicians to help patients with COVID-19. emphasizes the need to recognize 19 history.
Led by epidemiologist and PhD candidate Stacey Lowe, and co-authored by Victorian Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton and eminent infectious disease epidemiologist Professor Allen Cheng, the study issued by MJAMore.
“Essentially what we wanted to do was identify the types of hospitalizations that might be associated with being infected with COVID-19. Is it?” Rowe said. Insight+.
Rowe et al analyzed population-wide surveillance and management data for all laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases notified to the Victorian Ministry of Health between 23 January 2020 and 31 May 2021. did. Linked admission data (admission dates up to September 30, 2021).
“A total of 20,594 COVID-19 cases were notified and 2992 (14.5%) were hospitalized with COVID-19,” Rowe and colleagues reported. MJAMore.
“The incidence of hospitalization within 89 days of COVID-19 onset was higher for myocarditis and pericarditis (IRR, 14.8; 95% CI, 3.2–68.3), thrombocytopenia (IRR, 7.4; 95% CI 4.4– 12.5), pulmonary embolism (IRR 6.4; 95% CI 3.6–11.4), acute myocardial infarction (IRR 3.9; 95% CI 2.6–5.8), cerebral infarction (IRR 2.3; 95% CI, 1.4–3.9)”.
In other words, Rowe says, beyond the initial COVID-19 illness, “there are considerable risks associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection.”
“Following COVID-19, people are 15 times more likely to get myocarditis requiring hospitalization than before,” she said.
“While things like heart attack and acute myocardial infarction occur fairly proximal to COVID infection, the risk of other conditions such as clotting conditions (such as pulmonary embolism) is highest in the later stages of COVID disease,” said Dr. Peaks at about age 14 to 60. A few days after COVID illness.
Other results were also evident.
“The incidence of hospitalization for ischemic stroke after onset of COVID-19 was double that during the baseline period,” Rowe and colleagues wrote. “Other investigators (here, here When here) estimated that patients with COVID-19 have a 2- to 13-fold higher risk of stroke. ”
Professor Chen speaking with Insight+said it was more difficult to know who had COVID-19 because there is currently no mandatory testing and tracking of COVID-19-positive cases in Australia.
“This study suggests that [the possibility of a previous COVID illness] It can be an increased risk, so we have to be careful,” he said.
“For example, if someone complains of chest pain within two months of being infected with COVID, that pain may be a little more likely to represent a heart attack than at other times, so You really have to pay attention.
“We cannot say that every heart attack that occurs after COVID is due to COVID.
Rowe and colleagues recommend vaccination and “other mitigation strategies.”
“Our findings demonstrate the need for continued COVID-19 mitigation measures, including vaccination, to support early diagnosis and management of complications in people with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection. ,” they wrote.
“To elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying symptom persistence and development of major complications, to establish the prevalence of the post-COVID-19 condition (by vaccination status), and to identify post-vaccination complications. We need to quantify the risk of
Professor Chen said Insight+:
“what [this study] It shows that it is better not to get COVID. Either way, it’s probably a good thing.
“Vaccination is the easiest way to protect yourself from COVID, but it’s not perfect. It’s also important to stay home when there’s a lot of COVID, wear a mask, improve ventilation, etc.”
at some point MJAMore Articles written by the author:
“Some COVID-19 complications are clinically similar to those reported after vaccination against SARS-CoV-2, which is important when evaluating post-vaccination adverse events.” , found that the incidence of hospitalization for severe cardiac and thromboembolism after SARS-CoV-2 infection is higher than the risk of these events reported after vaccination.”
Lowe said Insight+:
“What we found in this study, and what other studies have found internationally, is that the risk of myocarditis is higher after SARS-CoV-2 infection than after vaccination.
“People [who feel they have been injured by the vaccine] There are many studies showing that the risk is higher after infection than after vaccination. “
Professor Chen agreed.
“It’s important to realize that people experience side effects after being vaccinated. Myocarditis often occurs after the second dose, usually within a day or so,” he said. rice field. “Obviously it’s due to vaccination.
“But the question from a public health perspective is whether the benefits outweigh the risks. COVID itself could cause higher rates of myocarditis. [than vaccination]In other words, it is better to get vaccinated. ”
Rowe said the study showed that COVID-19 is more than just a respiratory disease.
“These findings do show that COVID-19 is a multisystem disease and not a respiratory infection. If more research could be done to understand these pathophysiological mechanisms, , we can start thinking about how best to prevent these.”
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